The Variational Analysis Method (VAM) of dataassimilation was utilized by Atlas et al. [1996, 2011] to find the most dynamically suitable way to combine satellite observations and in situ wind measurements into gap-free wind fields. The VAM combines Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) instrument data with moored buoy measurements and a starting estimate (first-guess) of the wind field. The European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim Reanalysis winds are used in the CCMP V2.0 processing as the first-guess wind field. All wind observations (satellite and buoy) and model analysis fields are referenced to a height of 10 meters.

The VAM generates a gridded surface wind analysis which minimizes an objective function measuring the misfit of the analysis to the background, the data and certain a priori constraints. The CCMP wind analyses are at temporal and spatial resolutions suitable for scientific study.
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